Are you ready to ride the wave?

For many, the AI ​​revolution seems far away or at least hard to predict its impact on them. But is it really that far away? It’s a fun new way to increase productivity and help with mundane tasks like writing or answering questions via LLMs (Large Language Models) like ChatGPT. But seeing the daily impact on everyone’s life can seem too far away, right?

NBC has revealed that legendary anchor Al Michaels, who shot to fame with those six words at the 1980 Winter Olympics, “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”, is going all-in on AI. At a time when many in the media and creative community are pulling back, expressing concern, and even blocking LLMs from using their content, Al Michaels is doing the opposite: he’s leaning in. This year, for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, NBC and Peacock announced that any Olympic fan can sign up for a 100% customizable, AI-generated highlights package tailored to their needs, including Al announcing your name, with only the sports you want to see. The demo is pretty mind-blowing. It feels like Al Michaels did it!

This isn’t the first time and it certainly won’t be the last. Randy Travis is another example. Randy Travis is one of the most beloved artists in country music and throughout his career he has had 16 #1 hits. However, in 2013, a stroke left him unable to sing. Cris Lacy of Warner Music Nashville reached out to Randy’s wife to release a new song using AI.

In May of this year, Randy’s AI song, “Where That Came From,” reached No. 34 on the Billboard Country Music chart.

While these apps, and certainly Apple’s recent announcement about integrating AI, will increasingly provide ways for people to start seeing the benefits, there’s another AI movement happening in the background that has much broader implications.

A recent study by Goldman Sachs found that “a new wave of AI systems could also have a major impact on job markets around the world. The changes in workflows triggered by these advances could expose 300 million full-time jobs to automation.”

This wave of automation and workforce consolidation has already begun. Upon discovering Sora, the ChatGPT text-to-video conversion engine, Tyler Perry announced that he was abandoning an $800 million expansion of his Tyler Perry Studios, citing that “thousands of jobs would be lost.”

The Human-to-AI Gap

How do you see AI impacting your career? With nearly every industry scrambling to cut costs and integrate AI into their day-to-day operations, how are you positioning yourself for the future? One way to do this is to look at the industries and opportunities where job growth is expected in the next wave of AI.

According to the American Career Institute, the four fields that have a low probability of being automated are:

1. Health care: nurses, doctors, therapists and counselors
2. Education: Teachers, instructors and school administrators
3. Creative: Musicians, artists, writers and journalists
4. Personal services: hairdressers, cosmetologists, personal trainers and coaches

Of these four fields, the largest healthcare job is nurse practitioner, with a growth rate of 45% by 2031. The common thread in all cases is that industries offer a human-to-human advantage that protects you from losing your job to AI.

Position your business with AI

Leading a business through technological innovations and revolutions requires sharp and astute thinking. Here are three ways, as a leader, you can start thinking about and positioning your business with AI.

As a CEO or leader, become an expert or find one

There is no substitute for the CEO or leader to know what AI is and what it can do. The key is to know where it is going and how to position your company to take advantage of it. The most important question you can always ask yourself is, “How can AI improve our business?” Fostering a culture of innovation and thinking about the future is essential.

It’s okay if this isn’t your strong point. If it isn’t, acknowledge it and make sure you have someone to lean on to help you strategize for your business.

Integrate AI into your strategic planning

AI can be integrated into many aspects of a business, from customer service to data analysis. It can streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve decision-making processes. Companies that adopt AI in their strategic planning will be better positioned to adapt to change and seize new opportunities.

Focus on the ethical use of AI

As AI continues to evolve, it’s important to consider the ethical implications of its use. Many industries struggle to understand how to use and partner with this technology. In any case, it’s essential that your company discloses and is transparent about how it’s being used. Consumers are becoming more savvy and intelligent about their data. Starting with respect for user privacy will help you build customer trust. Companies that prioritize ethical use of AI can differentiate themselves and build long-term customer loyalty.

A wave is coming – You have a choice

As an avid surfer, I have a favorite quote from Jon Kabat-Zinn: “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf them.” With the AI ​​wave here and getting bigger, it might be time to grab your board, wax it, and catch the wave. If you don’t, you’re likely to get hit by the wave and wash up on shore. Trust me, surfing the waves is way more fun.

The choice is yours. Choose wisely.